Mix Diskerud aims for larger US role over the next 4-year cycle in post-Donovan era

Ecuador's Junior Sornoza (17) competes for the ball against United States' Mix Diskerud (8) during an exhibition soccer match in East Hartford, Conn., Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. The match ended in a 1-1 tie. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
(The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2014, file photo, United States' Mix Diskerud makes a move with the ball during an exhibition soccer match against Ecuador in East Hartford, Conn. Diskerud is not planning on becoming the next Landon Donovan. He just hopes to have a role in filling that copious void the U.S. men's national team will have to address going forward. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, file)
(The Associated Press)

FUKE - In an Oct. 9, 2014, file photo, United States' Mix Diskerud speaks to reporters in East Hartford, Conn. Diskerud is not planning on becoming the next Landon Donovan. He just hopes to have a role in filling that copious void the U.S. men's national team will have to address going forward. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, file)
(The Associated Press)

The first person Mix Diskerud saw when he scored against Ecuador last week was Landon Donovan, whose cross started the sequence that led to the goal.

There's something that seems appropriate there.

Donovan is gone now, his days with the U.S. national team over following his farewell match last week. The post-Donovan era starts Tuesday night when the Americans host Honduras in Boca Raton, Florida.

Diskerud is part of a young group of players who will be asked to take more important roles during the cycle leading to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The U.S. is unbeaten in its last 14 matches on American soil, with 12 wins and two ties.